A Welsh football match was abandoned after a player allegedly pushed the referee, with an investigation now set to take place.
The Rhondda and District Premiership match between hosts Ferndale BGC and Ynyscynon on Saturday, August 22, was abandoned after 35 minutes with the visitors leading 1-0. It's claimed the decision was made to stop the game after a Ferndale player pushed the match official.
Club Condemns Player's Behaviour
The matter is now being investigated by the South Wales FA, with Ferndale themselves releasing a strongly-worded statement condemning their own player's behaviour.
"Ferndale BGC apologise unreservedly to today's official Gary Webber. There are no circumstances in which an official should ever be put in a position as he was today and the club has taken swift internal action with the player in question.
"We appreciate this reflects badly on the club as a whole and will work with the Rhondda & District Football League Management Committee and the Rhondda Referees Association during any disciplinary process. Today's actions fall well below expected standard we as a club put on our players, coaches and club members. We will make no further comments on the incident."
Opposition and League Respond
In a short post on the match, Ynyscynon added: "A much better 35 minutes from the boys, controlled all aspects of the game. Unfortunately a Ferndale player pushed the ref, which led to the game being abandoned. Never nice to see."
Gavin Elliott, secretary of the Rhondda and District Football League, also condemned the incident, and said the officials would be offered support while the investigation is ongoing.
"The Rhondda and District Football League will fully support the referee and the officials who officiated the match on the day, should they need our support," he told WalesOnline. "As a league we are bitterly disappointed. We don't accept this sort of behaviour towards match officials or anybody attending a match. We do not condone this sort of behaviour whatsoever."
